Japan says Fukushima now in cold shutdown.

  • 12 years ago
The wreckage of the Fukushima power plant is a stark reminder of the double disaster which struck Japan in March.
On Friday Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced a key milestone in efforts to control the world's worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER YOSHIHIKO NODA SAYING:
"The nuclear reactors have reached a state of cold shutdown and therefore we can now confirm that we have come to the end of the accident phase of the actual reactors. I now officially declare the completion of phase two on our road map to end the nuclear crisis."
This helps pave the way for 80,000 evacuated residents to return home.
However some in this temporary housing centre are not convinced.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) UNIDENTIFIED RESIDENT WITH RED SWEATER OF THE TEMPORARY HOME CENTRE SAYING:
"I don't think it's the end of anything yet. We remain very worried."
Fear of radiation is part of life for residents both near and far from the plant.
Cases of excessive radiation in vegetables, milk and water have stoked anxiety despite assurances from officials that the levels are not dangerous.
The government says an area roughly the size of Luxembourg around the plant may need to be decontaminated.
Lily Grimes, Reuters

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